Seaward Born

by Lea Wait

A young enslaved boy who dreams of sailing must choose whether to risk everything to fight for freedom in this historical middle grade novel.

Sometimes a man has to risk everything to do what’s right. Doing it is what makes him a man.

Thirteen-year-old Michael knows he is lucky. Few enslaved people in 1805 Charleston are where they want to be. But Michael works on the docks and ships in Charleston Harbor, close to the seas he longs to sail. Life seems good. But when Michael’s protective mistress dies, everything changes, and Michael’s friend Jim encourages him to run away.

Michael is torn. Should he risk everything for a chance at freedom in some unknown place? Is staying safe worth staying enslaved?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult

160 pages, Paperback

First published May 8, 2010

About the author

Maine author Lea Wait writes the NYT-praised 8-book Shadows Antique Print Mystery series, the latest of which is SHADWS ON A MORNING IN MAINE, and the USA Today best-selling Mainely Needlepoint series which debuted with TWISTED THREADS in January, 2015, and was followed by THREADS OF EVIDENCE in August, 2015, THREAD AND GONE, in January, 2016, DANGLING BY A THREAD in late October, 2016, and TIGHTENING THE THREADS in March, 2017. Wait also writes acclaimed historical novels for ages 8 and up set in 19th century Maine, the latest of which, UNCERTAIN GLORY, takes place in a small northern town during the first two weeks of the Civil War. Lea's LIVING AND WRITING ON THE COAST OF MAINE, about being an author and living year 'round in Maine with a husband who's an artist also includes writing tips. Lea did her undergraduate work at Chatham College (now University) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and her graduate work at New York University. While she was raising the four daughters she adopted as a single parent she worked as a manager for AT&T. Now she writes full time and speaks at schools and libraries. She loves rowing, visiting historical sites, and, of course, reading and writing. See her website,
www.leawait.com, and the blog she writes with other Maine Mystery writers, http://www.mainecrimewriters.com, friend her on FB and Goodreads, and, if you'd like to be on her email list to find out when her next book will be published, send her your email address write to her at leawait@roadrunner.com

Reviews

[Mekhi Royes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book "seaward Born" takes place in Charleston, South Carolina and is about a boy named Michael who is thirteen years old and is a slave who works on his owner Mrs.Lautrec's plantation. Michael is a was very nice and hard working and Mrs.Lautrec loved him. Michael's parents had died in a hurricane and also worked for Mrs.Lautrec. In the begging of the story Mrs.Lautrec asks for Michael, which she had never done before according to him and told him how much of a good worker he had been while working for her. She later explained to him that she was "going to hire him off". This meant she would rent him off to another master but she would get payed for Michael's work, Therefore she would still own him. Mrs.Lautrec got Michael a job as a lighter on the water front where he always wanted to work. A lighter is someone who lifts heavy boxes and puts them on barrels. Later in the story Mrs.Lautrec dies and his friend jim tells him he should run away, Michael has to make a choice between running away and being free or staying safe and a slave. Will Michael take his chance at being a free man? Read this book, "Seaward Born" to find out.

I recommend this book because it tells an interesting story about a boy with many obstacles and has to take a risk that will impact him for the rest of his life. This book was neither too easy nor too hard, there were some confusing vocabulary used but i could still have a great understanding of what the book is about. For me this book was a little predictable towards the ending about the fact that he did listen to his friend and run away. My favorite part was when Michael was contemplating weather he should run away or stay. I loved this part because with an opportunity like this to be a free man who in there right mind would think about staying, so to me this part of the story was very amusing and made me curious as to why he would want to stay working as a slave. This is what got me to the point of thinking about if you have to make a choice between two decisions and the right choice could be the harder one and the easier choice could be the "play it safe" choice. I would give this book 4 stars because if the life lessons the story teaches you and the obstacles Michael had to face on his own. Also, i would not give it all 5 stars because i love the ending but think the events leading up to the ending should have had more suspense to it. I would definitely recommend this book, Seaward Born for anyone to read.

[kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

i want to hug all the Noah’s & the people who had to stay as Michael. i hope every single person who’ve experienced this is happy for our progress we made throughout the years.

[Sean Calvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are into historical fiction you will love this

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seaward Born is such a pleasure to read. My hopes rose and fell with Micheal’s who is the main character in the story. A wonderful and inspirational read and well written!

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good older child book dealing with post revolutionary war Charleston and slavery

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, even though it's a junior book. It says suited to ages 8 - 12, and I think it's a must read for all kids!

[sofia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't like how other characters don't have a happy ending.

[Bethany Fehr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt a bit more like a history lesson than a story, but it's an interesting history lesson!

[Beth Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be an excellent historical novel for children - or adults for that matter! It is well written and informative. It follow a young African American boy from slavery to freedom and across several states and two countries. The reader is drawn in to feel the emotions experienced by this young man. Although it is a short book, it packs lots of history into its pages. It gives a glimpse of the social, political, and cultural landscape of the times. Great for a book discussion group with children.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story of a slave who escapes to the north because of all the period detail about early 19th century Charleston and the relationship between slaves, free men, and whites. The main character, Michael, is likeable and interesting. Too bad there isn't a sequel! Excellent historical novel.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical fiction novel tells a compelling story. I found Michael/Noah a sympathetic character, but was a bit disappointed about how easily he was able to get out of difficult situations. This story is a fast read, with short chapters and moves from event to event. Recommended.

[Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very calming to read a book without vulgar references, with historical accuracy, and suitable for young readers.
Hey, great-grandmas like good reading sometimes, especially after the volumes of Holocaust I recently tackled.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical fiction about a slave boy who escapes from Charleston, SC to Wiscasset, Maine aboard a ship. Good for an introduction into slavery. Highlights some of the issues about the dangers of escape. Great for third, fourth and fifth grades.

[Kari]

Slavery, South Carolina, nicely woven, heart.

[Lorena]

[Autumn Fortier · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of a slave who finds freedom.

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This secondary elementary historical fiction novel describes the plight of Michael, a young slave living in Charleston, South Carolina in the early 1800s. Michael works on the docks of Charleston and dreams of sailing to London. As a young slave of the South, Michael is reminded that the freedom to choose such a trip isn't very likely during his lifetime. His owner, Mrs. Lautrec, passes away, and Michael worries that his new owner will crush his dreams of one day becoming a sailor. This story follows Michael as he escapes Charleston to Maine and the stress he feels as he trys to stay hidden on this dangerous adventure. Michael knows if he is caught, he could be sold and moved, or even worse, killed. This novel uses age appropriate language and really gives the reader a true sense of the constant anxiety Michael felt as he escaped North. This would be a wonderfu

l novel to read during Black History Month or for those studying slavery and the plight of African Americans.